Disney NYE weekend tips?

[SunsetsOnTheBeach]

We are totally insane and are planning a 3 night, 2 day trip to Disney on NYE weekend. Staying at the Camelot right outside the entrance (I hope?).

Any tips for us? I know it will be completely insane, maximum capacity, etc. We are going to try and prepare for that the best we can. After watching YouTube videos of both celebrations last year, I think we might spend NYE at DCA, it seemed like a great show with WOC and fireworks together. And I'm thinking it may be slightly less crowded?

Anyone have any tips for me? Thank you!!

 

[sonnyjane]

The abbreviated version? Get there early and don't leave. DL will fill up faster than DCA so you could probably start your day at DL for a few hours then head over to DCA. If you had wanted to do the celebration inside DL instead, I'd tell you to go straight to DL at opening and stay put.

 

[SunsetsOnTheBeach]

That sounds about right on with our plan so far. Right now we have Bibbiti Bobbiti boutique scheduled for 7:30am, and then will do a few rides at DL. We will head over to DCA around 9 or 10am and probably stay put there most of the day.

Do you think DCA will reach maximum capacity at some point? We would love to leave for a refresher in the afternoon, but don't want to risk not getting back in.

We plan to spend all day Sunday at DL.

 

[sonnyjane]

Do you think DCA will reach maximum capacity at some point? We would love to leave for a refresher in the afternoon, but don't want to risk not getting back in.

Ehhh... to be safe obviously I'd say not to take the break, but I can't say for sure what DCA will be like. Disneyland will be the more crowded of the two, so again, if it were DL I'd say definitely don't leave to take the break. DCA doesn't get quite as crowded as DL, but if DL closes due to capacity, all the people that can't get in will head over to California Adventure.

Maybe someone that has gone in the last few years can comment?

 

[skiingfast]

Do you think DCA will reach maximum capacity at some point? We would love to leave for a refresher in the afternoon, but don't want to risk not getting back in.

I would grab WoC FPs before 10:30am if you want to see WoC's early showing. It's a good idea when DCA is busy because WoC is packed no matter what, it's doesn't get worse on special nights.

Although DCA hasn't reached capacity, NYE is the most likely night it would though the chances of it doing so are slim.

I would suggest aggressively collecting FP's with all of your tickets, even if only the parents use them later. Do this in DL and DCA, incase you do get back into DL, though as the day progresses that will be more and more unlikely.

 

[BackIn33]

Ehhh... to be safe obviously I'd say not to take the break, but I can't say for sure what DCA will be like. Disneyland will be the more crowded of the two, so again, if it were DL I'd say definitely don't leave to take the break. DCA doesn't get quite as crowded as DL, but if DL closes due to capacity, all the people that can't get in will head over to California Adventure.

Maybe someone that has gone in the last few years can comment?

I was there the last 2 years. From what I saw, so long as you got there early and got a handstamp, you should be able to get back into the park. Overall, I wouldn't recommend DL unless you have your heart set on the fireworks that night. I thought DCA had a lot of great options and less people, so it was a better choice for me. DCA never closed due to capacity while I was there. And DL was closed at a certain point but was still letting people with handstamps and people without blackout dates into the park.

 

[SunsetsOnTheBeach]

Ok, good to know. I guess we'll just play it by ear. Who knows if the kids will even make it until midnight anyway, after being up bright and early!

We have reservations at Wine Country Trattoria and will get WOC passes from them, so that solves that problem.

 

[Malcon10t]

Do you think DCA will reach maximum capacity at some point? We would love to leave for a refresher in the afternoon, but don't want to risk not getting back in.

DCA has never closed for capacity on NYE before.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I wanted to comment on your hotel choice. You were unsure if Camelot was across the street from the pedestiran entrance. Yes, it is. We've stayed there in the past. I think you have to pass two, maybe three, hotels before you get to the cross walk. You can see DL from your room and the pool. Unless they took it out, a good plan C would be to watch the fireworks from the hot tub.

Of the "across from DL entrance" hotels, the Camelot is my fave. I've stayed at the BW Park Place Inn and the Carousel also and I think Camelot is better.

 

[SunsetsOnTheBeach]

That's very reassuring to know the Camelot is good. I have been obsessing about the hotel, and this is my 3rd reservation, I kept changing my mind! But we are here for good now. I requested a top floor room with a view of the Matterhorn/Disney, so hopefully we get that. Watching from the hot tub is a wonderful idea too.

BackIn33: Which New Year celebration did you prefer? Have you seen it at both parks?

 

[Mama Who]

We are totally insane and are planning a 3 night, 2 day trip to Disney on NYE weekend. Staying at the Camelot right outside the entrance (I hope?).

Any tips for us? I know it will be completely insane, maximum capacity, etc. We are going to try and prepare for that the best we can. After watching YouTube videos of both celebrations last year, I think we might spend NYE at DCA, it seemed like a great show with WOC and fireworks together. And I'm thinking it may be slightly less crowded?

Anyone have any tips for me? Thank you!!

We'll be at the Carousel. We're doing the parks in the afternoon/evening on the 30th. On the 31st we do DL first thing in the morning and then move over to DCA around 3ish or whenever DL starts getting crazy. Midnight is soooooo much more comfortable at DCA. Plus there's champagne. The 1st we sleep in a little and then do whatever's left on our list. Drive home the 2nd.

 

[SunsetsOnTheBeach]

We'll be at the Carousel. We're doing the parks in the afternoon/evening on the 30th. On the 31st we do DL first thing in the morning and then move over to DCA around 3ish or whenever DL starts getting crazy. Midnight is soooooo much more comfortable at DCA. Plus there's champagne. The 1st we sleep in a little and then do whatever's left on our list. Drive home the 2nd.

That sounds almost exactly like our plan! Minus the parks on the 30th, we will drive up from San Diego after DH gets off work. Just hotel and sleeping for us that day!

Mmmmmm, champagne, big selling point for DCA!! So, where can we get it?? I think we'll need a few glasses if we plan on getting through a full day 7am-12midnight with a 4 & 6 yr old. Please tell me they'll just be handing them out to the crowds

 

[Hankie]

Is it worth it to buy a 3-day ticket to have the early entry for Saturday, 12/31? Are they still doing early entry for that date?

 

[sonnyjane]

Is it worth it to buy a 3-day ticket to have the early entry for Saturday, 12/31? Are they still doing early entry for that date?

Yes, they are having Magic Morning every day that week between Christmas and New Years. Is it worth getting a 3-day hopper just for the Magic Morning? I guess that depends - how long were you planning on going anyway? Were you only going to pop in for the day but want an extra hour in the parks? An hour isn't worth an extra $109 in my opinion! Were you going to have a 2-day hopper? The difference would be $41. Again, I don't think a MM is worth that but it's your decision. Those are the price differences if you order online in advance from Disneyland.com. Buying tickets at the park would be more expensive.

In additional, New Year's Eve is the busiest day of the year, so I'd venture to say that more people would be taking advantage of the MM perk on that morning and staying in the parks than would on other days, likely diminishing its value.